Do you support the $25-million expansion at the Complex?

Yes. It's an investment in the future and long overdue.
43% (26 votes)
Yes. It promotes healthy lifestyles and family and community interaction.
21% (13 votes)
No. I'd rather pay for my recreation myself, rather than through taxes.
16% (10 votes)
No. I think it's too extravagant. They should scale it back.
15% (9 votes)
I'd need more information to decide.
5% (3 votes)
Total votes: 61

Comments

Throwing Stones

by Crazed_Canuck on 23 Sep 2010 at about 15:00.
The way you criticize the looks on "peoples faces" and the employees of the Complex who are working to make this a much more enjoyable facility for the community, makes me believe you have never given anything back to your community and would rather sit on your sofa throwing stones. What does your face look like when your at work and you have to deal with people like you? You want the men's hockey league to fold? How does someone else's enjoyment of hockey affect you in any way? Or does it bring up past memories of being the last picked player in school sports? Don't try to take away my hockey and I won't take away your TV's remote.

Hi, Who says we're getting a

by dmak on 23 Sep 2010 at about 14:03.
Hi, Who says we're getting a better viewing area for swim meets? Who says the fitness classes will be in better spaces? Who's planning the storage spaces in the proposed expansion; the same brainiacs who put a round wall in the senior's room? I propose the ice surface should be better managed instead of putting in a new one. That is what's going to cost the most; maybe we should leave that part out of the plans. Once the local RCMP start enforcing the new drinking and driving laws, maybe the recreational hockey league will fold and leave the ice time for the large hockey association. In my opinion, the facility could be improved by a few more friendly-looking(at least) faces and people who really care about people's fitness and recreation.

Much needed expansion

by hockey mom of 2 on 22 Sep 2010 at about 12:02.
As someone who uses almost all areas of the Complex, I am excited to see these plans come to fruition. Every area of this building needs expanding, and upgrading. I don't think the added taxes are all that high. Especially living in a province that gives us a home owners grant. The city is expanding and if they want to see more young families move to the area they need to offer better services. Currently this pool is not child friendly, it is cold, boring and un-exciting. We have a large hockey association in the area and we need a second sheet of ice for our teams otherwise the divisions suffer and we would lose out on some great team building and skill learning for our children. The fitness area is already over crowded and the storage of the equipment all over the building is ridiculous. When attending a class you are cramped into that tiny room with no way move around and follow a routine. The change rooms are a disgrace, they are most definately needing an upgrade as they do not take into account people with special needs and small children need more space then the three feet of space we currently have. When you are cheering on the swimmers in the swimming pool you can't actually see them. We need better viewing areas for swim meets and for children's lessons. I hope all the nay sayers do not take away something that is really needed in this city. Because we are a city and we are expanding, so should our services.

Rec Expansion - Hey, "Hockey Mom"!

by Jason on 25 Sep 2010 at about 22:08.
Dear"Hockey Mom"; That was a most interesting comment, to say the least. Just a few points in response: - You say, "Taxes are not that high". An extra $200 or so for a $250,000 home. Have you considered what that increase means for seniors, or those on fixed incomes? - Isn't it incredibly short sighted to say that 'taxes are not that high" when just this year, the pulp mill, by far the largest tax payer, could not pay their taxes? Can you imagine would happen to our taxes if they shut down? The forestry industry is in the tank. So, hey, let's throw another $200/year on top of a potential HUGE tax increase if the pulp mill goes under like most other mills in the province! Oh, by the way, all of this is on top of the very large tax increase we already received this year! - "Hockey Mom", I am a "Ski Dad". I do not expect you to subsidize my kids to go skiing, why should I subsidize yours to play hockey.? Why should my mom and dad, seniors on a fixed income, subsidize your kids to play hockey? If you want a $25,000,000.00 expansion, find another formula, rather than everyone else paying your way - Increase the fees for the people who actually use it!! Sorry, I do not want to pay your way. - You say, "we are a CITY and we are expanding". Umm..sorry we are a small town of 7500 people and, except for the addition of Blueberry, where I live, the population of Castlegar has not increased in many years. Jason

Ski Dad

by Crazed_Canuck on 06 Oct 2010 at about 15:46.
While you do have some interesting points one thing you should remember. You consciously decided to use skiing as your families activities. Do you know of any volunteer ski instructors because I can think of a ton of people, coaches and other individuals that volunteer their time to hockey, swimming and other children activities. The city tax dollars are not to be spent on private business that only exists to make money for share holders. And in your case I don't even think they live in Canada. Perhaps you haven't seen the big picture or even have the first clue about the planed renovations as they have much more in mind than just hockey. But please beak off without thinking about the COMMUNITIES best interest. I seem to remember seeing hospital fees, school fees etc on my property tax bill. Should I be refunded and exempt because I don't have children in school or use the hospital. I was on a fixed income at the age of 20. I made minimum wage and had a mortgage. But I paid and was happy to do so. I can go on and on about everything that tax dollars are spent on that benefits me and only me. But hey, next time Blueberry needs a multi-million dollar waterline run out there so you have drinking water go get some glove and a shovel and do it yourself as people in Castlegar don't get anything out of it. Where do you get your information about the Celgar Pulp Mill. They payed their tax and will continue to do so. The whole commotion was regarding them feeling they were over taxed not bankrupt.